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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on novel approaches for the management of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) on tomato under protected environment(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-08-06) Kaushik, Ekta; Sood, Ajay K.Present investigations were carried out in the laboratory, outdoor insect rearing facility and naturally ventilated polyhouses at CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during 2020-22. Studies on the effect of different levels of recommended dose of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) on growth and development of greenhouse whitefly reared on tomato revealed the duration and survival in different developmental stages was influenced adversely by decreased nitrogen and increased potassium levels. Total development period during first generation lasted for 23.33 to 27.33 days at 28±2°C temperature and 70±5% relative humidity in thirteen evaluated treatments, being maximum in treatment comprising 200% NK+ 100%P,25%N+100%PK and 200%K+100%NP of RDF, respectively. Whereas during second generation it varied from 19.67 days to 28.67 days, maximum duration corresponded to the treatment having higher levels of K, 200%K+100%NP of RDF followed by 25%K+100%NP of RDF. Total survival to adult stage during GI ranged between 25.67 to 58.67%. Whereas, in GII survival to adult stage ranged between 25.67 to 64.67%, being more in treatments comprising higher N levels i.e. 200% N +100 %PK being at par to 150% N +100 %PK of RDF. The minimum survival was recorded in treatments having lower levels of N, 25% N +100 %PK of RDF. Plant nutrition also influenced the pupal length and breadth significantly which varied from 0.665 to 0.732 mm and 0.362 to 0.461 mm, respectively in GII and was maximum in 200%N+100% PK. The minimum mean length and breadth was recorded in treatment comprising 25%NK+100%P during both the generations. Effect of plant nutrition on fertility parameters of greenhouse whitefly adults assessed during GII revealed increasing K and decreasing N nutrition levels influenced the fertility parameters adversely. It was observed that increased level of K (200%K+100%NP, 150%K+100%NP) resulted in reduction in gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), true intrinsic rate of population increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) and increased the doubling time (DT) as compared to increased N levels. Amongst thirteen fertilizer treatments evaluated for population buildup of GHWF during autumn cropping season 2021 revealed treatment comprising 25%NK+100%P influenced the population buildup of GHWF adversely and resulted in minimum count of immatures (36.13 immature/leaf) as well as adult population (10.19 adult/leaf), whereas it was maximum in treatment comprising high N levels (200%N+100%PK) which recorded 117.87 immature/leaf and 22.63 adult/leaf. During summer season crop, 2022 effect of eight selective fertilizer treatments on population build up of GHWF under two fertigation frequencies i.e. once and twice per week, showed that the population of immatures of GHWF was significantly minimum (43.91 immature/leaf) in 150%K+100%NP. The maximum population (101.80 immature/leaf) corresponded to 150%N+100%PK. Frequency of fertigation also influenced the population levels which were significantly minimum when fertigation was applied twice per week. The fruit yield under different fertilizer levels revealed that treatments comprising higher K resulted in highest fruit yield of 1549 g/plant and was significantly higher when fertigation was done twice per week, whereas fruit yield in treatments comprising higher N levels declined significantly and recorded 1006 g/plant fruit yield. In different fertilizer treatments the sooty mould severity recorded on 120 DAT was at its maximum in 150%N+100%PK, when applied twice per week whereas, it was minimum in the treatment having 150%K+100%NP applied twice per week. Amongst different insecticidal treatments evaluated during autumn crop of tomato (2020), soil application of imidacloprid (0.009%) proved most efficacious in reducing GHWF adult population and resulted in significantly mean minimum population (1.24 adults/leaf). It was followed by the treatment comprising foliar application of cyantraniliprole (0.02%). In summer crop of tomato (2022), treatment comprising foliar application of cyantraniliprole (0.02%) at 15 days intervals proved most efficacious and resulted in significantly mean minimum adult count (2.06 adults/leaf) as compared to all other treatments. It was followed by alternate foliar application of spiromesifen (0.02%) & thiamethoxam (0.008%) at 15 days intervals and foliar as well as soil application of imidacloprid. The marketable fruit yield was significantly higher (1931 g/plant) in treatments comprising alternate application of vermiwash (10%) &Tamarlassi (10%) and was followed by yield obtained in foliar application of cyantraniliprole (0.02%) at 15 days interval (1928 g/plant).Benefit cost ratio worked out was maximum for soil application of imidacloprid (0.009%) during both the seasons. Persistence of cyantraniliprole residues on tomato grown under naturally ventilated polyhouse studied during summer cropping seasons of 2021 and 2022 revealed residues of cyantraniliprole persisted up to 7 and 15 days on tomato fruits at recommended and double the recommended dose, respectively and residue dissipated to half in1.7 to 2 days (RL 50). Based on dissipation pattern, a pre harvest interval/safe waiting period of 8-10 days was suggested under protected environment. The findings lead to the conclusion that modulating plant nutrition, incorporating natural and organic farming plant protection products, selective use of CIB&RC recommended insecticides can manage GHWF effectively in tomato grown under protected environment.ThesisItem Open Access Economics of natural and conventional crop production systems in Himachal Pradesh(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-09-23) Gamoh, Minam; Bala, BrijThe introduction of green revolution has led to indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides in order to maximise production hence making the soil dead. Moreover, increasing costs of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to farmers’ indebtedness and their suicides. Therefore in mid 1990s natural farming (NF) was introduced where nothing has to be purchased from outside. Himachal Pradesh (HP) is one of the states in India where there is less use of agro- chemicals and has the potential to follow natural farming. Hence, the present study “Economics of natural and conventional crop production systems in Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in HP. Two stage random sampling technique was used for the selection of blocks and farmers. Zone-I and Zone-II were selected purposively and 160 farmers practising natural crop production and conventional crop production were interviewed. Secondary data revealed that Chamba covered the highest area (391.38 ha) under NF and Lahaul spiti the least (19.16 ha). Kangra had the highest number of farming families (13386 nos) that received training for NF. Primary data revealed that during Kharif season combination of Maize+pulses+oilseeds (M+P+O) (26 %) covered the maximum area in Zone-I and Maize+pulses (M+P) (9.739%) in Zone-II. During Rabi season, Wheat+ pulses (W+P) covered the maximum area in Zone-I (56%) and Zone-II (39%). The highest cost incurred during Kharif season was for M+O+V in Zone-I and Zone-II i.e., Rs.67711 and Rs. 66593, respectively During Rabi season maximum cost was incurred for V+P in Zone-II and Zone-I i.e., Rs.143380 and Rs. 142931, respectively. Under conventional farming (CF) in Kharif season the total variable cost incurred in the cultivation of maize was Rs. 43605 in Zone-I and Rs. 43252 in Zone-II. The Crop Equivalent Yield (CEY) in the NF system was higher than the CF system for all crop combinations. In Kharif season M+O+V resulted in maximum returns with net return of Rs. 150322 followed by M+P+O (Rs. 102907) in Zone-I. In Zone-II, M+P yielded highest returns (Rs. 148799) followed by M+O+V (Rs. 94209). In Rabi season, net returns were highest for V+P (Rs. 159832) in Zone-I followed by W+P+O (Rs. 130706). In Zone-II, V+P (Rs. 214772) remained at highest followed by W+P+O (Rs. 111846) and W+P the least (Rs.61322). Cobb-douglas production function revealed that, value of bioformulations (0.74) and human labour (0.06) were positive and significant under NF affecting the gross returns. Under CF, value of chemical fertilizers (0.67) was positive and significant. Age, education, subsidiary occupation and ownership of cow were the significant factors affecting the adoption of NF. Difficulty in management of weeds/insect-pests, high wages of labour, lack of package of practices of natural farming, high transportation cost were the major problems faced by the farmers practicing NF in the study area. Creation of effective bio-pesticides/formulations, proper packages of practices, separate markets for natural produce with premium pricing and formation of Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) would encourage natural farming in the state.ThesisItem Open Access Study on adoption process and comparative economics of natural and conventional farming in Himachal Pradesh(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-09-13) Sharma, Komal; Gupta, ManojNatural farming is a one-of-a-kind chemical-free farming method that helps in preserving and protecting the valuable natural resources by minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals. Present research was carried out to study the adoption process and comparative economics of natural and conventional farming in Himachal Pradesh. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through survey method from 240 farmers while the secondary data were collected from various published and unpublished sources. Natural farming has been since its launch, PK3 Yojana has witnessed success among the smallholder farmers of this hilly State. Natural farming has gained prominence across all development blocks and districts of the State, despite constraints imposed by the hilly terrain and is being practiced by the farmers in almost all the panchayats of the state. Presently, about 1.71 lakh farmers have started practicing natural farming on about 9422 ha of land across all agro-climatic zones of the State. 76.67 per cent of farmers were following the pattern of mixed cropping farm while 9.17 per cent of farmers were still growing the monocrop under natural farming system. Overall adoption index was 0.75, indicating that majority of the farmers have partially adopted the SPNF practices. On an average, farmers had 0.8413 ha/farm in SPNF and 0.7197 ha/farm in CF system and around 60 per cent of total land was under cultivated land in both the farming system. There were five major crop combinations under natural framing i.e. Maize-pulses, Maize-vegetables, Vegetables-maize-pulses, Vegetables-pulses and Tomato-other vegetables in Kharif season, whereas Wheat-pulses, Wheat-vegetables, Vegetables-wheat-pulses, Vegetables-pulses and Cauliflower-other vegetables in Rabi season. Among various components of natural farming inputs, use of Jeevamrit was highest in all the crop combinations. In Kharif season, under NF, cost C3 ranged between Rs. 1,01,447/ha (Maize-pulses) to Rs. 1,77,300/ha (Vegetable-pulses), whereas in CF, it ranged between Rs. 1,14,112/ha (Maize) to Rs. 2,26,176/ha (Tomato). In Rabi season, under NF, cost C3 ranged between Rs. 1,01,824/ha (Wheat-pulses) to Rs. 1,68,472/ha (Cauliflower-other vegetables), whereas in CF, it ranged from Rs. 1,15,562/ha (wheat) to Rs. 2,07,889/ha (cauliflower). Percent change in yield in NF over CF was observed maximum in Maize-vegetables (50.68 %) followed by Maize-pulses (24.59 %) in Kharif season, whereas in Rabi season, it was maximum for Wheat-vegetables (17.39 %) followed by Wheat-pulses (10.46 %). In Kharif season, percentage reduction in cost of cultivation under NF over CF was maximum in Tomato-other vegetables (22.33 %), followed by Vegetable-pulses (22.61 %), Vegetables-maize-pulses (17.19 %), Maize-pulses (11.10 %) and in Rabi season, it was highest in Cauliflower-other vegetables (18.96 %), followed by Vegetables-wheat-pulses (12.77 %), Wheat-pulses (11.89 %) and Vegetable-pulses (9.43). REE was observed maximum in the Maize-pulses (366.04) in Kharif season and for Wheat-pulses (1081.01) in Rabi season. The results of regression analysis revealed that factors like Beejamrit, Jeevamrit, Ghanjeevamrit, Agnistra, Khatti lassi and labour were significantly increased the gross returns. Around 45-50 per cent of vegetables were marketed through channel-III involved commission agent-cum-wholesaler as the main market functionary. The channel I (involving producers and consumers) was found to be most efficient in the study area from the view point of higher net price received by farmers and higher marketing efficiency index. Perception of farmers revealed that majority of farmers were convinced that natural farming leads to crop diversification, decline in pest attack and decrease in the cost of production. 76.67 per cent of farmers felt that natural farming is labour intensive and only 27.50 per cent of farmers agreed that SPNF can be adopted on large scale under present conditions. Factors like experience in farming, total farm size, total family members, number of indigenous cows, high cost of chemical fertilizers, trainings attended and social participation were found significant variable for adoption of natural farming. Labour intensive technique, shortage of skilled labour, high wage rate, lack of market information and non-availability of specialized market were some of the constraints faced by farmers in the study area. To up-scale the PK3Y, government policy needs to focus on training and awareness camps, regular handholding of the NF farmers, certification programme, market intervention schemes, financial assistance during the initial years of adoption alongwith focus on development of seed banks, natural fertilizer production facilities, marketing and distribution networks for natural farm products.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of farming practices on maize-wheat productivity, nitrogen dynamics, carbon sequestration and soil health in an acid Alfisol(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-07-13) Vishvamitera, Sakshi; Sharma, Sanjay K.Imbalanced and sole application of chemical fertilizers has been found to adversely affect the crop productivity as well as the soil health. There is a ample scope to improve the production potential by manipulating nutrient management systems in such a way that these are more effective, environmental friendly, and largely acceptable. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of farming practices on productivity of maize and wheat, nitrogen dynamics, carbon sequestration and soil health. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments replicated thrice in a completely randomized block design, involving recommended NPK dose, 100% NPK+FYM@ 10 t ha-1 , 100% NPK+lime, organic farming practices, three natural farming systems involving formulations prepared using excreta of desi and crossbred cows, and buffalo, and their integration with 25% of recommended NPK dose. Application of 100%NPK + FYM@ 10 t ha-1 resulted in better crop growth and yield attributes, and registered the highest grain and stover/straw yield of maize and wheat, but these were statistically similar to 100% NPK + lime during both the years. For comparison of different treatments, maize grain equivalent yield and wheat grain equivalent yield were computed as NFS treatments included intercrops. Grain and stover/straw equivalent yield of maize and wheat were significantly higher under 100% NPK+ FYM@ 10 t ha-1 , which were however, statistically similar to 100% NPK+lime during both the years. Application of 100% NPK+ FYM@ 10 t ha-1 recorded 51.7% and 113.9% higher mean maize grain and stover equivalent yield, respectively, and 23.0% and 57.6% higher mean wheat grain and straw equivalent yield, respectively, than NFS-Desi cow. Integration of 25% NPK in these treatments significantly enhanced the yield over pure organic/natural farming treatments. The NPK and cationic micronutrient uptake by grain and stover/ straw of maize and wheat was highest in100%NPK + FYM@ 10 t ha-1 , and lowest in NFS-Buffalo treatment. Application of 100% NPK + lime increased the soil pH. Water holding capacity, mean weight diameter, organic carbon, available S, microbial count, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and enzyme activities were recorded highest in organic farming + 25% NPK treatment, however, available NPK were recorded highest under 100% NPK+FYM@ 10 t ha-1 , at both 0-0.15 m and 0.15-0.30 m soil depth. The highest content of inorganic N fractions were recorded under 100% NPK+FYM, while organic farming+ 25% NPK recorded the highest organic N fractions, and mean weight diameter at both the soil depths. Carbon sequestration was highest under 100% NPK+ FYM, while lowest was recorded under 100% NPK. Integration of 25% NPK with organic /natural farming systems significantly improved the soil physico-chemical properties at both soil depths over pure organic/natural farming systems. Among natural farming systems, NFS-Desi cow performed better in all the parameters as compared to NFS-Crossbred cow and NFS-Buffalo. Therefore, there was a notable effect of farming practices on maize-wheat productivity, nitrogen fractions, carbon sequestration and soil properties in an acid Alfisol, with conventional integrated nutrient management system giving the better results for most of the parameters under study.ThesisItem Open Access Molybdenum status and its critical limits for french bean and cauliflower in acid soils of Himachal Pradesh(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-07-11) Bijani, Hemali; Kumar, PardeepMolybdenum (Mo) an ultra-micronutrient plays key role in plants as an essential nutrient besides its significance in regulating nitrogen availability. It is emerging as a deficient nutrient especially in acid soils. As in Himachal Pradesh (HP), a significant area is under acid soils, likely to exhibit Mo deficiency. Since, no systematic study has been conducted on Mo status and its critical limits in soils and plants for french bean and cauliflower. Therefore, an investigation entitled "Molybdenum status and its critical limits for french bean and cauliflower in acid soils of Himachal Pradesh" was conducted from 2019 to 2022. The study involved the random collection of a total of 200 surface soil samples, analysed for soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) and available Mo through best extractant. The average soil pH was found to be 5.86, indicating slight acidity, while the mean SOC was determined to be 10.2 g kg-1 . Four extractants viz., Ammonium Oxalate (AO), EDTA, AB-DTPA, and Aqua Regia, were compared to assess their efficiency in extracting Mo on 40 segregated samples based on pH and SOC (20 each). Among these, Aqua Regia extracted pseudo-total Mo, exhibited the highest extraction rate with an average value of 0.41 mg kg-1 . Among rest of the three extractants, AO exhibited the highest extraction rate with an average value of 0.120 mg kg-1 followed by EDTA and AB-DTPA. The effectiveness coefficients of the extractants varied depending on the pH and SOC classes, with AO showing highest effectiveness at highest pH (>6) and SOC (>10.0 g kg-1 ) class. AO exhibited positive correlations with pH (0.334*), SOC (0.573**), N (0.526**), and P (0.461**), indicating a significant association between AO and soil properties. Spatial mapping of available Mo using the AO extraction method revealed a mean content of 0.122 mg kg-1 . The analysis indicated that majority of the samples exhibited latent deficiency of Mo (43%), followed by low (28.5%) and very low (6.5%). To establish critical limits of molybdenum (Mo) in soil and crops, a controlled pot experiment was conducted in a glasshouse. Ten different bulk soils (L1-L10) were selected, and six levels of Mo (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg kg-1 ) were applied to study their impact on the growth and yield of french bean (var. Falguni) and cauliflower (var. Pusa Snowball-K1). The experiment followed a completely randomized design with three replications. The results indicated that for cauliflower, increasing Mo levels up to 2.5 mg kg-1 was statistically at par with 2.0 mg kg-1 and resulted in improved growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, and nitrate reductase activity (NRA). Similarly, for french bean, Mo levels up to 2.0 mg kg-1 which was statistically at par with 1.5 mg kg 1 resulted in improved growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, and NRA. An increase in soil pH from 4.89 to 6.58 (L1-L5), and an increase in SOC from 2.90 to 15.1 g kg-1 (L6-L10), resulted in a significant and comparable improvement in crop yield in the Mandi (L4) and Hamirpur (L9) locations, whereas Sujanpur (L6) demonstrated the lowest performance with an SOC content of 2.90 g kg-1 . The post-harvest soil nutrient status showed that the effect of Mo levels were non-significant for available N, K, Mg and DTPA extractable micronutrients. Among locations, all the nutrients showed significant relationship. Critical limit for Mo in soil was worked out as 0.147 and 0.143 mg kg-1 for cauliflower and french bean, respectively. Critical limit of Mo for cauliflower and french bean in plant was figured out as 4.12 and 6.16 mg kg-1 , respectively. In conclusion, the study provided valuable insights into the distribution of available Mo in acid soils of Himachal Pradesh. The findings emphasized the importance of Mo for crop production and the established critical limits shall serve as a useful guideline for stakeholders.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of chemical fertilizers, organics and lime on fractions of micronutrient cations under continuous maize-wheat cropping in an acid Alfisol(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-02-10) Suri, Deepika; Sharma, R.P.The present investigation was carried out in an on-going long-term fertilizer experiment, initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, CSK HPKV Palampur, to study the effect of chemical fertilizers, organics and lime on fractions of micronutrient cations under continuous maize-wheat cropping in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with twelve treatments. The soil of the experimental site was silty loam and classified taxonomically as “Typic Hapludalf”. Soil samples were collected after wheat (rabi, 2019-20 and 2020- 21) harvest from the surface (0-0.15 m) and sub-surface (0.15-0.30 m) layer. Soil samples were analyzed for various chemical, physical and microbiological properties using standard analytical procedures. Different fractions of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe were determined in surface and sub-surface soil samples collected after wheat harvest (rabi, 2019-20) and soil samples drawn from adjacent buffer plots. The grain and stover/straw yield of maize and wheat was recorded. The nutrient concentration was determined in grain and stover/straw samples of maize & wheat and uptake was calculated. Continuous use of chemical fertilizers, organics and lime under maize-wheat system in an acid Alfisol brought out marked depletion in the pools of all the micronutrient cations as compared to buffer plots. The content of different fractions of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in sub-surface layer was less than that in surface layer. However, the treatment wise trend was almost similar to that under surface layer. Highest grain yield of maize (54.77 and 44.91 q ha-1 during 2019 and 2020, resectively) and wheat (28.11 and 24.67 q ha-1 during 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively) was recorded under 100% NPK + FYM treatment which was at par with 100 % NPK + lime. FYM and lime treatments resulted in significantly higher uptake of all the nutrients by both the crops compared to other treatments. Most of the fractions of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe correlated negatively and significantly with pH and positively and significantly with OC and CEC. Simple correlation and regression studies revealed that organically bound and exchangeable fractions were found to play major role in the nutrient supply, crop productivity and nutrients’ uptake.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of cropping systems on nutrient dynamics and soil health in an acid Alfisol(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-06-02) Choudhary, Deeksha; Datt, NaveenThe field experiment entitled “Effect of cropping systems on nutrient dynamics and soil health in an acid Alfisol” was undertaken at Bhadiarkhar experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) during 2019-2020 and 2020-21. The experiment consisted of ten cropping sequences viz., maize-wheat, maize-gobhi sarson + toria, dhaincha-early cabbage-french bean, sunhemp-vegetable pea-french bean, maize + soybean chickpea + linseed, rice-wheat + gram, hybrid sorghum + hybrid bajra-oats + sarson, hybrid sorghum + hybrid bajra-ryegrass + berseem, babycorn-broccoli-french bean and maize-turnip tomato in randomized block design which were replicated thrice. The soil of the site was acidic in nature (pH=5.5), silty clay loam in texture, medium in available nitrogen (350.6 kg ha-1 ) and potassium (147.3 kg ha-1 ) and high in available phosphorus (44.2 kg ha-1 ). Soil samples from 0- 0.15 m depth were collected before and after the harvest of each cropping cycle (2019-2020 and 2020-21) and analyzed for various physical, chemical and biological properties. In addition, different forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were also determined following standard analytical procedures. Maize-turnip-tomato recorded significantly higher maize grain equivalent yield, net returns and BC ratio. The total uptakes of N, P, and K in a cropping system were highest in sunhemp-vegetable pea-french bean while Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu uptake were maximum under maize-turnip-tomato. The cost of cultivation was highest for babycorn-broccoli-french bean cropping system due to labour intensive nature of vegetable crops in the sequence. The incorporation of green manures significantly improved the soil organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity, available N, P, K, S, exchangeable Ca and Mg, DTPA extractable Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, microbial count of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, microbial biomass C, dehydrogenase acid phosphatase, urease and soil respiratory activity. Among N fractions, serine + threonine-N, total hydrolysable-N and Nitrate-N exhibited maximum correlation with total N uptake. Amongst P fractions, NaOH-Po, HCl-P and H2O-P for P uptake were found important. In case of K, water soluble-K and exchangeable-K were the dominant fractions. The N, P, K uptake and MGEY were found to be positively and significantly correlated with pH, SOC, CEC, MBC, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and SRA.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of crop sequences under natural farming, organic and integrated nutrient management production systems(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-07-06) Shalley; Pathania, PawanA field experiment entitled “Evaluation of crop sequences under natural farming, organic and integrated nutrient management production systems” was conducted during Kharif 2019-20 to Rabi 2020-21 at the Research Farm of Agronomy Department, College of Agriculture, CSK HPKV, Palampur to explore the production potential of identified cropping sequences and to monitor the change in soil fertility, quality and economic viability of the crop sequences. The soil at the experimental site was silty clay loam with an acidic reaction, medium organic carbon content, available phosphorus and potassium and low available nitrogen. The experiment consisted with sixteen treatments and three replications were laid out in split plot design. The treatments consisted of four production system viz. integrated nutrient management, organic farming, natural farming, conservation agriculture in main plots and in sub plots, maize - wheat, maize + cowpea - wheat + gram, maize + soybean-radish-onion and okra + pole bean - cabbage + garden pea were undertaken. In different cropping sequences, okra + pole bean – cabbage + pea sequence in combination with integrated nutrient management came out to be best in terms of maize grain equivalent yield (33009 kg ha-1 ) followed by organic farming system. However, integrated nutrient management in okra + pole bean – cabbage + pea sequence proved to be more economical and high gross returns (₹548957 ha-1 ) and highest net returns per rupee invested (₹423017 ha-1 ). In terms of quality, integrated nutrient management production system with maize-wheat cropping sequence proved to be high in carbohydrate yield, fat yield and in energy equivalents. Integrated nutrient management with maize + soybean – radish – onion resulted in high protein yield. Application of conservation agriculture in combination with maize + cowpea- wheat + gram cropping sequence resulted significant increase in organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and also improve soil health of the system as microbial population in the soil i.e., bacteria and fungi were highest under conservation agriculture production system.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative performance of maize and wheat based intercropping systems under natural and organic farming practices(CSK HPKV, Palampur, 2023-07-17) Raveena; Kumar, RameshwarA field experiment entitled “Comparative performance of maize and wheat based intercropping systems under natural and organic farming practices” was carried out at the Zero Budget Natural Farm (ZBNF), Department of Organic Agriculture & Natural Farming, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, from kharif 2020 to rabi 2021-22 to study the effect of natural and organic farming practices on the productivity, soil health and economics of maize and wheat based cropping systems. Soil of the experimental site was silty clay loam in texture, acidic in reaction, high in organic carbon and medium in available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and thirteen treatments viz.,T1 - Maize + Lobia - Wheat + Gram and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval, T2 - Maize + Lobia - Wheat + Gram and jeevamrit spray at 21 days interval, T3 - Maize + Lobia – Wheat + Gram and jeevamrit spray at 28 days interval, T4 - Maize + Soybean - Wheat + Lentil and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval, T5 - Maize + Soybean - Wheat + Lentil and jeevamrit spray at 21 days interval, T6 - Maize + Soybean - Wheat + Lentil and jeevamrit spray at 28 days interval, T7 - Maize (sole) - Wheat (sole) and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval, T8 - Maize (sole) - Wheat (sole) and jeevamrit spray at 21 days interval, T9 - Maize (sole) - Wheat (sole) and jeevamrit spray at 28 days interval, T10- Maize + Lobia – Wheat + Gram (Organic), T11- Maize + Soybean - Wheat + Lentil (Organic), T12- Maize sole - Wheat sole (Organic) and T13- Maize sole - Wheat sole (Absolute control). Significantly higher values of growth, yield attributes, grain and stover yield of maize were recorded under T1 during kharif 2020 and T4 during kharif 2021. Maize grain equivalent yield was significantly higher under T4 during both the seasons (2020 and 2021). In case of nutrient uptake, significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake by grain/seed, stover/straw as well as total uptake was recorded under T4 during kharif 2020 and T11 during 2021. In case of wheat, significantly higher growth and yield attributes were recorded under T1 during rabi 2020-21 and T11 during rabi 2021-22. Significantly higher grain and straw yield of wheat were obtained under T7 during 2020-21, while during 2021-22, it was higher under T12. However, there was an increment in the wheat grain equivalent yield of T10 and T11 by 26.89% and 45.58 % in rabi 2021-22 as compared to rabi 2020-21. Significantly higher nitrogen uptake by grain/seed, straw as well as total uptake was recorded under T10 during 2020-21 and T11 during 2021-22. However, highest phosphorus uptake by both grain/seed and straw as well as total uptake was recorded under T7 during first season and T11 during second season. In case of potassium, highest uptake by grain/seed was recorded under T11 during both the seasons, whereas straw as well as total uptake was highest under T7 during first season and T11 during second season. Amongst different intercropping systems, maize + soybean – wheat + lentil intercropping system along with application of jeevamrit at 14 days interval (T4 ) came out to be the best in terms of system equivalent yield (90.30 q/ha in 1st year and 82.53 q/ha in 2nd year) followed by organic farming practices, T11 (85.69 q/ha in 1st year and 81.83 q/ha in 2nd year). Use of natural farming practices in maize + soybean – wheat + lentil intercropping system (T4 ) also proved to be more economical and resulted in higher gross returns (249101 ₹/ha and 231759 ₹/ha), net returns (156061 ₹/ha and 132551 ₹/ha), B:C (1.68 and 1.34) and profitability (516.8 ₹/ha/day and 433.2 ₹/ha/day) of the system during both the years. Soil health was also significantly improved under organic farming treatment T11 in terms of organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and microbial count, microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity.
